Saratoga Futures Bloghttp://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/en-USSquarespace Site Server v4.1.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Anti-Energy Speculation Bill Stirs FearFutures NewsBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 19:27:12 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/anti-energy-speculation-bill-stirs-fear.html191786:2110216:1998759Financial industry executives are mustering on Capitol Hill to head off a Congressional effort to rewrite the rules for the nation’s energy markets, saying it could unsettle already nervous markets and push more energy trading abroad, beyond the reach of domestic regulators. more>>

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1998759.xmlInvesting in the material worldFutures NewsBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 19:25:17 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/investing-in-the-material-world.html191786:2110216:1998757While both the US and UK indexes for stocks and shares enter a bear market, one index has risen by 30% since last year - the Dow Jones AIG Commodities Cash Index. more>>

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1998757.xmlThe Blame GameFutures NewsBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 19:22:47 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/the-blame-game.html191786:2110216:1998753I want to say thanks for the July 10 email you sent to all your customers seeking to explain why today's air travel experience is so painful. more>>

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1998753.xmlTrading Platforms: They call it Software for a reason, it shouldn’t be this hardFutures BrokerageJayFri, 18 Jul 2008 18:23:41 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/trading-platforms-they-call-it-software-for-a-reason-it-shou.html191786:2110216:1998457The trading platform you choose should allow you to easily express your ideas.  That choice becomes more crucial as the electronic futures markets continue to grow in volume, depth and breadth.  In our capacity as electronic futures trading consultants, Saratoga Futures’ mission is to move beyond traditional brokerage by assisting you in selecting this crucial link to the markets.  We take into account your trading strategy, style and market connectivity needs to narrow down the plethora of choices to a smaller group that more closely meets your needs.  For further information, contact us by email or call.

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1998457.xmlFutures vs. ETFs 07/17/08Futures DataBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 18:13:21 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/futures-vs-etfs-071708.html191786:2110216:1998239PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS


ProductFutureVolumeFactor*ETFVolumeFutures Liquidity Multiple
S&P 500ES 2,897,787 500SPY 375,490,528 3.9
NASDAQ 100NQ 533,267 800 
QQQQ 
197,557,056 2.2
Russell 2000
ER2
285,287 1000IWM115,520,224 2.5
GoldGC236,335 1000 GLD25,188,630 9.4

Silver 

SI38,019 1000SLV1,296,377 29.3
Crude Oil
CL684,338 1000 USO22,212,162 30.8
* Factor - the number of ETF shares that are approximately equivalent in notional value to the notional value of one futures contract]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1998239.xmlElectronic vs. Pit Volume 07/17/08Futures DataBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 18:01:57 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/electronic-vs-pit-volume-071708.html191786:2110216:1998227PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS


ProductElectronic Volume
Pit Volume
Percent Electronic of Total Volume
Crude Oil684,338 71,250 90%
Natural Gas293,656 34,286 91%
Corn 213,334 28,061 90%
Soybeans 156,539 17,882 87%
Wheat74,000 5,004 92%
Live Cattle26,323 40,429 35%
Lean Hogs19,932 36,832 38%
COMEX Gold236,335 28,338 90%
COMEX Silver38,019 3,033 89%
COMEX Copper23,187 1,980 94%
]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1998227.xmle-Mini S&P Levelsemini S&P Futures LevelsJayFri, 18 Jul 2008 13:02:06 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/e-mini-sp-levels.html191786:2110216:1997471

The September e-mini S&P (ES) did get above 1255.25 yesterday, but never managed to reach the anticipated 1268.75 level, finding resistance at the intermediate 1261 level. Overnight’s decline found support @ 1241.25 and ES is back above 1255.25. If ES were to get to 1268.75 today, getting much higher than 1276.25 seems unlikely. Dips holding 1248.50 would keep the 1268.75 and 1276.25 targets intact. If yesterday’s high of 1263 was the top, things point to 1190. Support @ 1255.25, 1248.50 (new), 1241.25, 1237, 1229, 1218.75, 1204, 1190 and 1180. Resistance @ 1261, 1268.75, 1276.25, 1286.25, 1291.75 (pivot) and 1298.

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1997471.xmlClimate Exchange trading soars, expands overseasFutures NewsBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 12:48:13 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/climate-exchange-trading-soars-expands-overseas.html191786:2110216:1997441British carbon credit exchange operator Climate Exchange Plc said on Wednesday that trading volumes at its two main exchanges rose from a year ago, and it made progress with international expansion plans. more>>

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1997441.xmlThe End of Oil's Boom?Futures NewsBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 12:46:45 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/the-end-of-oils-boom.html191786:2110216:1997437Have oil prices seen their upper limit? That's the question traders and analysts are debating following a steep drop this week for crude oil. more>>

]]>http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/rss-comments-entry-1997437.xmlCBOE to launch commodity volatility indicesBrettFri, 18 Jul 2008 12:45:37 +0000http://www.saratogafutures.com/saratoga-futures-blog/2008/7/18/cboe-to-launch-commodity-volatility-indices.html191786:2110216:1997436The Chicago Board Options Exchange plans to launch a family of volatility indices for commodities, after the introduction this week of a volatility index for oil prices. The move will replicate its widely-followed “Wall Street fear gauge” – the S&P 500 Vix index. more>>

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